Methods and apparatuses for bone restoration

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatuses for restoration of human or animal bone anatomy, which may include introduction, into a bone of an expansible implant capable of expansion in a single determined plane, positioning the expansible implant in the bone in order to correspond the single determined plane with a bone restoration plane and opening out the expansible implant in the bone restoration plane. A first support surface and a second support surface spread tissues within bone. The embodiments of the invention may also include injecting a filling material around the implant.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/951,766 filed on Sep. 29, 2004, which claims priority toFrench patent application No. 04 06211 filed on Jun. 9, 2004, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of surgery and medicalimplants and more particularly to devices and methods for restoringhuman or animal bone anatomy using medical bone implants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various causes can be at the root of bone compression, in particularosteoporosis which causes (for example) natural vertebral compressionunder the weight of the individual, but also traumas, with the twocauses occasionally being combined. Such bone compressions can affectthe vertebrae but also concern other bones, such as the radius and thefemur, for example.

Several vertebroplasty techniques are known for effecting a vertebralcorrection i.e., to restore a vertebra to its original shape, or a shapesimilar to the latter. For example, one technique includes theintroduction of an inflatable balloon into a vertebra, then introducinga fluid under pressure into the balloon in order to force the corticalshell of the vertebra, and in particular the lower and upper vertebralplateaus, to correct the shape of the vertebra under the effect of thepressure. This technique is known by as kyphoplasty. Once the osseouscortical shell has been corrected, the balloon is then deflated, andwithdrawn from the vertebra in order to be able to inject a cement intothe cortical shell which is intended to impart, sufficient mechanicalresistance for the correction to have a significant duration in time.

A notable disadvantage of the kyphoplasty method resides in its numerousmanipulations, in particular inflation, and in the necessity to withdrawthe balloon from the patient's body. Furthermore, the expansion of aballoon is poorly controlled because the balloon's volume ismulti-directional, which often causes a large pressure to be placed onthe cortical shell in unsuitable directions. Such large pressures riskbursting of the cortical shell, and in particular, the lateral part ofthe cortical shell connecting the lower and upper plateaus of avertebra.

Other vertebral implants exist which are intended to fill a cavity in avertebra. Such implants, however, generally adopt a radial expansionprinciple obtained by formation of a plurality of points which standnormally to the longitudinal axis of the implant under the effect ofcontraction of the latter. Such implants impose too high a pressure onindividual points which may pierce the material on which the pointssupport. Furthermore, similar to kyphoplasty, very high pressure cancause bursting of the tissues or organ walls, such as the corticalshell, for example. Furthermore, the radial expansion of some implantsdoes not allow a particular expansion direction to be favoured.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention reduce the above noteddisadvantages and provide additional advantages over the prior artdevices of bone restoration. More particularly, some embodiments of thepresent invention include methods for restoration of human or animalbone anatomy, and include one or more of the following steps:

-   -   introduction, into a bone for restoring, of an expansible        implant according to a single determined expansion plane which        is preferably intrinsic to the implant,    -   positioning the expansible implant in the bone in order to make        the expansion plane correspond with a bone restoration plane,    -   opening out the expansible implant in the bone restoration        plane, and    -   injecting a filling material in an around the implant.

The method, according to some embodiments of the invention, allows thecreation of a reinforced structure resulting in a solid structure (i.e.,the implant incorporated by a hardened filling material thanks to theexpansion of the implant). Moreover, the filling material can beinjected under relatively low pressure since the implant remains inplace which enables the preservation of the dimensions of the correctedbone structure.

It is another feature of an embodiment of the present invention that theexpansible implant may be expanded/opened-out in the bone restorationplane to a determined value: between a minimum thickness of the implantbefore any expansion and a maximum thickness of the implant aftermaximum expansion. Such a feature allows the expansion value of theimplant to be controlled, for example, for a given vertebral correction.

Another advantageous feature of an embodiment of the present inventionincludes the opening out of the expansible implant by opening out firstand second opposite plates, forming (respectively) first and a secondsupport surfaces for the bone. Such a feature allows the pressure whichis exerted by the implant on the tissues in contact with the latter tobe reduced, by increasing the contact or support surface on the tissues.

The length of the implant may also be sized to be substantially equal toat least one of the first and second support surfaces in the bone. Sucha feature allows optimization of a ratio of the support length on thetissues to the length of the implant. For example, the closer this ratiois to one, the more the implant will be usable in places requiring asmall length. Moreover, this feature also allows the introduction of afilling material with low injection pressure—in one embodiment, theinjection pressure is the lowest possible so as to avoid having thefilling material be injected into inappropriate tissues such as bloodvessel walls (for example).

In another embodiment of the invention, each of the first and secondplates may form partially cylindrical support surfaces, one portion ofwhich may be parallel to a longitudinal axis of the expansible implant.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the opening out of firstand second plates includes raising the latter using one or more supportsunder the plates. Such a feature allows a ratio of the length of thesupport surfaces to the length of the implant to be increased to be asclose to one (1) as possible, as will be explained in more detailfurther on with the description of an embodiment of the invention.Furthermore, this feature allows thrust forces to be distributed underthe plate in order to reduce the cantilever.

A filler cement may be injected in an around the implant, so as to aidin compressive load with the implant in bone restoration. Cements thatmay be used with the implants according to the disclosed embodiments mayinclude an ionic cement, in particular a phosphocalcic cement, anacrylic cement or a compound of the latter. Accordingly, the combinationof the implant and the cement is not unlike a steel reinforced concretestructure in the construction of buildings.

In one embodiment of the present invention, an expansible implant forbone restoration is presented and may include a single plane ofexpansion intrinsic to the implant, where upon the single plane ofexpansion corresponds to a bone restoration plane and first and secondopposed plates respectively form first and a second bearing surfaces forthe bone. The first and second plates are intended to move away one fromthe other according to the single plane of expansion at the time of theexpansion of the implant. The implant may also include first and secondsupports for each of the first and second bearing surfaces, locatedunder each plate respectively and means for controlling expansion of theimplant. The controlling means may include a material web providedbetween each support and a corresponding plate, having a determinedthickness which controls expansion of the implant. Moreover, one or moreimplants may be used in a single bone to produce a more symmetrical bonerestoration (see FIG. 37).

Accordingly, additional embodiments of the present invention may alsoinclude control means for controlling a determined expansion value,between a minimum thickness of the implant before any expansion of thelatter and a maximum thickness of the implant after its maximumexpansion.

The implant may also preferably include a means for positioning theexpansible implant in bone in order to make the expansion plane of theimplant correspond substantially with a bone restoration plane. Suchmeans may include an engagement means allowing angular orientation ofthe implant about the longitudinal axis, including flat surfaces forattachment with an implant carrier, and threaded engagement.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a system for bonerestoration and may include at least one expansible implant having asingle plane of expansion for corresponding to a bone restoration plane,a first tube for positioning adjacent an exterior surface of a bone forrestoration, and a first rod having a threaded end for affixing into adistal end of the interior of the bone, where the first rod beingreceived within the first tube. The system may also include a secondtube for receiving the first tube therein and a third tube for receivingthe second tube, where the third tube including one or more engagementmembers for anchoring the third tube on the exterior surface of thebone. The system may further include a drill for establishing anenlarged opening in the side of the bone, where the drill is guided bythe first rod and a medical insertion device for inserting an expansibleimplant into a patient.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a medical insertiondevice for inserting an expansible implant into a patient. The devicemay include a gripping portion having a central bore, a first tubehoused in the central bore, a threaded rod housed in the first tubehaving a distal end for receiving an implant for insertion into thepatient, a handle attached to the gripping portion and/or the implantcarrier and a gauge for determining an expansion of the implant.

Still other features, advantages, embodiments and objects of the presentinvention will become even more clear with reference to the attacheddrawings, a brief description of which is set out below, and thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of anexpansible implant according to the invention, in a resting position.

FIG. 1B illustrates the example of FIG. 1A, in opened-out position.

FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of an expansibleimplant according to the invention, in a resting position.

FIG. 2B illustrates the example of FIG. 2A, in opened-out position.

FIG. 2C illustrates an enlarged side view of the support members for theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 3 illustrates a lateral view of the example according to FIG. 1A.

FIG. 4 illustrates a view in section according to the line I-I of FIG.3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a view in section according to the line II-II of FIG.3.

FIG. 6 represents an end view according to view F of the exampleaccording to FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7 illustrates a view from above of the example according to FIG.1A.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of anexpansible implant according to the invention, in a resting position.

FIG. 9 illustrates the example of FIG. 8, in opened-out position.

FIG. 10 illustrates a lateral view of the example according to FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 illustrates a view in section according to the line III-III ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 12 illustrates a view in section according to the line IV-IV ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 13 illustrates a view in section according to the line V-V of FIG.10.

FIG. 14 illustrates a view in section according to the line VI-VI ofFIG. 10.

FIG. 15 illustrates an end view according to direction G of the exampleaccording to FIG. 8.

FIG. 16 illustrates a view from above of the example according to FIG.8.

FIGS. 17-29 illustrate schematically, steps for a method for oneembodiment for bone restoration according to the invention.

FIGS. 30-32 illustrate schematically, steps for another method for bonerestoration according to the invention.

FIG. 33 illustrates a perspective, functional view of an implant carrierdevice for inserting an implant into the bone of a patient according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 34 illustrates a top view of the implant carrier device of FIG. 33.

FIG. 35 illustrates an expansion gauge for the implant carrier shown inFIGS. 33 and 34.

FIG. 36 is a graph illustrating expansion of implants according to someof the disclosed embodiments using the implant carrier shown in FIGS. 33and 34.

FIG. 37 illustrates the use of a pair of implants according to anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The expansible implant 1 represented in FIGS. 1A to 7 may include one ormore of the following:

-   -   a single determined expansion plane 2, which may be intrinsic to        the implant,    -   means 3 for positioning the expansible implant in the bone        allowing the expansion plane to correspond with a bone        restoration plane,    -   means 4 for opening out the expansible implant in the single        expansion plane 2,    -   means 5 for controlling a determined expansion value, between a        minimum thickness A of the implant before any expansion of the        latter and a maximum thickness B of the implant after its        maximum expansion, and    -   a first 6 and a second 7 opposite plate which are able to form        respectively a first 8 and a second 9 support surface in the        bone intended to be moved apart one from the other along the        single expansion plane 2 during expansion of the implant 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, implant 1 may include a cylindrical shapewith a transverse circular exterior section, and can be manufactured ofbiocompatible material, for example titanium, into a tubular body usinglathe, laser, and/or electro-erosion manufacturing techniques (castmanufacturing may also be used). The implant 1 may also include a firstend 20 and a second end 21, each respectfully adopting the shape of atransverse section of the tubular body. The ends are preferably intendedto be brought towards one another to allow the opening-out/expansion ofthe implant, as represented in FIGS. 1B and 2B. Accordingly, the twoends 20, 21 are connected to each other by a first 22 (which also may bereferred to as “upper” arm) and second 23 (which also may be referred toas “lower” arm) rectilinear arm, which are parallel when the implant isnot opened out and formed longitudinally in the tubular body, and areable to be folded under the first 6 and second 7 opposite plates as aneffect of bringing the ends 20 and 21 one towards the other, while alsodistancing the first 6 and second 7 opposite plates from thelongitudinal axis 10 of the tubular body.

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate an embodiment of the implant which is similar tothe embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 1A and 1B, but with an additional setof supports (e.g., a four bar linkage). More specifically, the implantin FIGS. 2A-2C includes supports 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B, 15A, and15B. The additional supports may provide further rigidity for theimplant and/or may insure that plates 6 and 7 open-out in asubstantially parallel and/or even manner.

As represented in FIGS. 4-5, in order to allow the arms 22 and 23 to beopened out in a single expansion plane 2 (passing through thelongitudinal axis 10 of the tubular body), the arms 22 and 23 arepreferably diametrically opposed. In that regard, the arms 22, 23 may beformed from a transverse recess 40 of the tubular body, traversing thetubular body throughout, and extending over the length of the tubularbody between the two ends 20 and 21 of the implant 1. As represented inFIG. 5, the arms, 22, 23 connecting the two ends 20 and 21, respectivelyadopt a transverse section bounded by a circular arc 26 of the exteriorsurface of the tubular body. Chord 27 defines the circular arc 26 andmay be included in the wall 25 to form recess 40. The recess 40 may besymmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 10.

Each arm 22, 23 may be divided into three successive rigid parts, whichmay be articulated together in conjunction with the ends 20 and 21 asfollows. With respect to the upper arm 22: a first rigid part 28 isconnected at one end to end 20 by means of an articulation 29. The otherend of rigid part 28 is connected to a first end of a second, adjacent,central rigid part 30 by means of an articulation 31. The second rigidpart 30 may be connected at a second end to the third rigid part 32 bymeans of an articulation 33. The other end of the third rigid part 32may be connected to end 21 by means of an articulation 34. Preferably,the articulations 29, 31, 33 and 34 may include one degree of freedom inrotation, acting, respectively, about axes which are perpendicular tothe expansion plane 2. Preferably, articulations 29, 31, 33 and 34 areformed by a thinning of the wall forming the arm in the relevantarticulation zone, as represented in FIGS. 1A-3 (see also, e.g.,reference numerals 5 and 81).

Each arm 22, 23 opens out such that the central rigid part 30 moves awayfrom the longitudinal axis 10 of the implant pushed by the two adjacentrigid parts 28 and 32, when the ends 20 and 21 of the implant arebrought one towards the other. As represented more particularly in FIG.3, in order to initiate the movement of the arm in the correct directionwhen the ends 20 and 21 are brought towards the other, it is preferableto establish a suitable rotation couple of the various parts of the arm.

Accordingly, ends of rigid parts 28, 32 of upper arm 22 may bearticulated with ends 20 and 21, respectively, via a material web formedon the rigid parts. Other ends of rigid parts 28, 32 may also bearticulated with the central rigid part 30 via a material web formed onrigid parts 28, 32. The displacement of the articulations establish arotation couple on the rigid parts 28 and 32 when a force is applied tobring the ends 20 and 21 together along the longitudinal axis 10 of theimplant. This displacement tends to make the rigid part 32 pivot towardsthe exterior of the implant as a result of moving the central rigid part30 away from the longitudinal axis 10.

The lower arm 23 may be constructed in a similar manner as the upper armand is preferably symmetrical to the upper arm 22 with respect to aplane which is perpendicular to the expansion plane 2 passing throughthe longitudinal axis 10.

Thus, according to some embodiments of the present invention, thearticulations betwen the upper 22 and lower 23 arms and correspondingrigid parts are preferably formed by weakened zones produced by grooves81. The grooves define a thin web of material (i.e., material web)formed from the tubular body, the thickness of which may be determinedby the depth of the grooves 81 (as represented in the figures) in orderto allow plastic deformation of the material without breaking.Specifically, the rigid parts 28 and 32 of the upper arm 22, and theirsymmetrical ones on the lower arm 23, can adopt a position, termedextreme expansion, in which the intended rigid parts are perpendicularto the longitudinal axis 10 of the implant 1, when the ends 20 and 21are brought one towards the other such that the latter is opened upuntil its maximum expansion capacity, resulting in plastic deformationof the corresponding material. The width of the grooves 81 arepreferably pre-determined to allow such a clearance of the parts of theupper and lower arms and also to impart a suitable radius of curvatureto the webs in order to ensure plastic deformation without rupture ofthe material.

The first 6 and second 7 opposite plates may be formed in the upper 22and lower 23 arms. With respect to the upper arm 22, for example, plate6 may be formed by the central rigid part 30 and by material extensions(rigid parts 28 and 32) extending out both sides thereof. In order toproduce the plate 6, rigid parts 28 and 32 are separated from the upperarm 22 using a pair of transverse slots 35 and 36 which extendlongitudinally over the length each respective end part (see FIGS. 3-4).Articulations 31 and 33 and rigid parts 28 and 32 form, respectively, afirst 12 and a second 13 support (FIG. 1B) for the first 6 plate. Thesame applies to the second plate 7 by symmetry.

Hence, the first 6 and second 7 plates may comprise respectively a first16, 18 and a second 17, 19 cantilever wing, the respective attachmentzones of which are situated at the level of the first 12, 14 and second13, 15 supports. As represented in FIGS. 1A-B, the first 16, 18 andsecond 17, 19 cantilever wings may include a length correspondingsubstantially to the maximum displacement value of one of the first 6 orsecond 7 plates in the single expansion plane 2.

The first 6 and second 7 plates form first 8 and second 9 supportsurfaces, respectively, each having a length which may be substantiallyequal to the length of the implant and which may be displacedperpendicularly to the longitudinal axis 10 during expansion. Accordingto one embodiment of the invention, since the implant 1 is formed in atubular body, the first 6 and second 7 plates form, respectively, curvedsupport surfaces, which are preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis10.

The means 3 for positioning the expansible implant in a bone which allowthe expansion plane 2 to correspond with a bone restoration plane, mayinclude an engagement means which allows for the angular orientation ofthe implant about longitudinal axis 10. For example, such means mayinclude flat surfaces 37, 38 which are formed on the cylindrical surfacewith a circular section of end 20, which may allow for rotationalengagement of the implant 1.

The means 4 for opening out the expansible implant in a single expansionplane 2, may include rigid parts 28 and 32 of upper arm 22 and thecorresponding symmetrical rigid parts on the lower arm 23, allowingopening out of the first 6 and second 7 plates. An implant carrier 71(see FIG. 23) may be used to allow the ends 20 and 21 of the implant tobe brought together when placed within the bone. The implant carrier 71,by being supported on the end 20, for example, allows the end 21 to bepulled toward end 20, or by being supported on end 21, end 20 is pushedtoward end 21. To this end, the distal end 21, for example, comprises anopening/distal orifice 39 threaded along the longitudinal axis 10 inorder to allow the engagement of the implant carrier 71, which includesa corresponding threaded portion. The proximal end 20 may include a bore80 along the longitudinal axis 10 in order to allow the passage of acore of the implant carrier 71 as will be explained further on.

A control means may be provided by the implant carrier which may includea millimetric control means for bringing ends 20 and 21 together,preferably by means of screw-thread engagement, allowing the expansionto be stopped at any moment as a function of requirements. On the otherhand, control means 5 provided by the articulations of the arms 22 and23, more specifically, by the thickness of the material webs definingeach arm which, deforming in the plastic region, allow the expansion tosubstantially preserve a determined opening-up position of the arms,apart from elastic shrinkage which is negligible in practice.

The expansion of the plates 6 and 7 of the implant, and theirstabilisation once opened up, can be achieved through adaptation ofplates 6 and 7 to the bone geometry by the plates. Specifically, in someembodiments of the invention, the implant 1 allows a non-paralleldisplacement of plates 6 and 7 and, at the end of the displacement,allows a definitive position of the plates in a non-parallel state ifnecessary (e.g., as a function of the bone anatomy). For example, theexpansion of plates 6 and 7 may be non-parallel if the lengths ofindividual support arms are different. For example, if supports 12 and14 are longer than supports 13 and 15 (see FIGS. 1A-2B), opening out theimplant will force plates 6 and 7 to angle away from each other. InFIGS. 1A-2B, this would result that plates 6 and 7 at end 21 to befurther apart one another then at end 20. As one of ordinary skill inthe art will appreciate, depending upon the configuration, only onerespective support need be lengthened/shortened, to obtain a particularangle.

Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, when the four bar linkage comprisingsupports 12A, 12B, 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, as shown, are equallengths (i.e., length of 12A=length of 13A, length of 12B=length of 13B,etc.), a parallelogram is then created upon expansion of the implant,which insure parallelism between segments AD and BC (FIG. 2C). Bymodifying the lengths of L1 and L2, the four bar linkage is no longer aparallelogram, but rather an angle between plate 6 and 7 occurs. Theangle formed may also be dependent on how close ends 20 and 21 are drawnnear to each other. As the implant is opened-out, the angle slowlyincreases.

FIGS. 8-16 relate to a second embodiment of an expansible implant 101,the elements of which are functionally similar to the correspondingelements of the implant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-7. Moreover,the corresponding features in FIGS. 8-16 relating to the embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 1-7 include the same reference numerals,respectively, with the addition of the number 100 and therefore will notbe described further.

The represented implant 101 differs from the implant 1 by the absence ofthe wing portion on the plates 106 and 107, as represented moreparticularly in FIG. 9. Implant 101 includes a deformable parallelogramsystem 141 on one of the rigid parts 128 or 132 of each of the arms 122(upper) and 123 (lower). In the illustrated example, the parallelogramsystem is represented on rigid part 128 of upper arm 122, connected tothe end 120 and the corresponding system on lower arm 123. Theparallelogram systems may be used to ensure displacement of the platesof each of the arms 122 and 123, parallel to longitudinal axis 110 ofthe implant. As represented in the figures, the rigid part 128 of thearm 122 (similarly on corresponding arm 123) is split, as arearticulations 131 and 129 (respectively) over the central part 130 andover the end 120 of the implant in order to form a parallelogram whichis deformable during displacement of the corresponding plate.

The articulations of the deformable parallelogram 141 may be produced inthe same manner as the other articulations 131, 133, 134 of the arm 122,as represented in FIGS. 8-16. The disclosed geometry as explained aboveand represented in FIGS. 11-14, establishes force couples on the variousparts 129, 130, 132 of the arm. This allows for the desireddisplacements when bringing together ends 120 and 121 of the implant101.

In order to obtain a deformable parallelogram 141, the rigid part 128 ofthe arm is preferably divided into three longitudinal levers: twolateral levers 142 and a central lever 143, which form two sides of thedeformable parallelogram 141. The two remaining sides of theparallelogram may be formed by an extension 144 of the central part ofthe arm 122, placed in an axis of extension of the central lever 143,and by a double extension 145 of the end 120, extending parallel to thelongitudinal axis 110 of the implant and placed in the axis of extensionof the two lateral levers 142 (see FIG. 8).

It is worth noting that arms 122 and 123 may be symmetrical with respectto a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the plane ofexpansion 102 passing through the longitudinal axis 110 of the implant101 in order to obtain, during the expansion of the implant, thedisplacement of the two plates 106 and 107 in a manner parallel to thelongitudinal axis 110.

Bone Restoration Examples

A first example of a method for human bone restoration according to oneembodiment of the present invention using an expansible implant will nowbe described with reference to FIGS. 17-29. It concerns, moreparticularly, a method for bone restoration of a vertebra via aposterolateral route, with fracture reduction. Accordingly, the methodmay include one or more (and preferably all) of the following steps. Oneof skill in the art will appreciate that the implant according to soembodiments of the present invention pushes though/divides tissues inthe interior of the bone so that the bearing surfaces of the implantpreferably come into contact with the bone tissue for restoration.

An expansible implant, expansible (preferably) in a single, determined,expansion plane 2 (intrinsic to the implant) is introduced into avertebra 60, the shape of which is to be restored. To effect thisoperation, a rod/pin 61 (e.g., Kirschner pin type) is placedpercutaneously via the posterolateral route so that the threaded end 62can be affixed (e.g., screwed) into the cortical bone 63 opposite thecortical bone 64 which is traversed by the pin (FIG. 17). The pin 61 isreceived in a first dilation tube 65 until an end of the first tube 65contacts (e.g., may be supported) the exterior surface of the corticalbone 64 (FIG. 18).

The first dilation tube 65 is received by a second dilation tube 66,until the end of the second tube 66 comes into contact (e.g., supportedby) the exterior surface of the cortical bone 64 (FIG. 19). The seconddilation tube is further received by a third dilation tube 67, whichcomes into contact (e.g. is supported) on the exterior surface of thecortical bone 64 (FIG. 20). Teeth 68 on the end of the third dilationtube 67 anchor the tube in the cortical bone 64.

The first 65 and second 66 dilation tubes, as shown in FIG. 21, are thenremoved, leaving only the pin 61 surrounded by tube 67, which areseparated from one another by tubular spacer 68. The proximal corticalbone 64 and cancellous bone 70 is then pierced by means of a drill 69(for example) guided by the pin 61, as represented in FIG. 22. In oneembodiment, the cancellous bone is pierced as far as the distal third(approximately), then the drill 69 may be withdrawn (the pin 61 may bewithdrawn as well).

A proximal end of the implant 1 is removably attached to a distal end ofa hollow core (preferably) implant carrier 71 which is then introducedinto the core of tube 67, as represented in FIG. 23. The implant may beremovably affixed to the implant carrier via threaded engagement (forexample). Within the core of the implant carrier 71, a rod 72 (see alsoFIG. 33, reference numeral 3316) having a distal end which includes anengagement means to engage the distal end of the implant (and which mayalso include an expanded proximal end, larger than a diameter of therod) may be inserted. Similar to the affixation of the implant to theimplant carrier, the engagement means of the rod to the implant my bevia threaded engagement.

The implant carrier 71, as shown in FIG. 33, includes a handling means3310 for controlled movement of the rod relative to the implant carrier(for example). The handing means may comprise a gripping block 3312,having a central bore through which the implant carrier 71 is positionedand is held in place at least rotationally, but preferably rotationallyand linearly. In that regard, a proximal end of the gripping member andthe proximal end of the implant carrier are preferably flush. A handle3314, according to one embodiment of the invention, may be attached tothe proximal end of either or both of the gripping member and theimplant carrier, but is preferably free to rotate relative thereto ineither or both of the clockwise and counter-clockwise directions. Instill another embodiment of the invention, the handle may not beattached to either or both of the gripping block and implant carrier.The handle may include a center opening which preferably includesinternal screw threads of a predetermined thread pitch.

The rod 3316, which is received within the implant carrier, preferablyincludes external threads corresponding in thread pitch to that ofhandle 3314. A locking device slides relative to the gripping block andmay include a pin 3321 which frictionally interferes with the rod 3316,to lock the rod in place (i.e., no rotational movement).

The threads of the rod are preferably provided at least along a majorityof the length rod. According to one embodiment of the invention, therod, implant carrier, gripping block and handle may be pre-assembled.One would insert the threaded distal end of the rod into an opening inthe center of the proximal end of the implant, where it then may bereceived in the correspondingly threaded portion in the center of thedistal end of the implant. The distal end (i.e., the location of theimplant) of the assembly of the implant with the implantcarrier/handling means may then be inserted into dilation tube 67.

FIG. 34 illustrates another view of the implant carrier, and includes agauge 3320 which may be used to indicate the amount of expansion of theimplant (e.g., a determination on the rotation amount of the rod 3316).The gauge may comprise a window to the rod 3316. As show in FIG. 35,according to one embodiment of the invention, the portion of the rodthat is visible may not include threads. Rather, this section of the rodmay include markings 3322 which indicate a percentage of expansion.Additional markings 3324 provided adjacent the window allow a user togauge the percentage of expansion from the relative movement between thetwo markings.

Depending upon the predetermined thread pitch and direction of thethread of the rod 3316, rotation of the handle moves the rod 3316relative to the implant carrier linearly in a direction. Preferably, thethreads are provided on the rod such that clockwise rotation of thehandle moves the rod outward away from an area in which the implant isto expand (the implantation area). For example, for an M5 thread, apitch of 0.8 mm may be used. However, one of skill in the art willappreciate that a thread pitch of between about 0.5 mm and about 1.0 mm(for example) may be used. FIG. 36 is a chart illustrating a no-loadexpansion of an implant according to one of the embodiments of theinvention by the number of turns of the rod for three particular sizesof implants.

Accordingly, in view of the above embodiment, once the implant ispositioned within the dilation tube and slid down therein, so that it isplaced into the interior of the vertebra 60. The implant is preferablypositioned such that the single expansion plane 2 corresponds to thedesired bone restoration plane (FIG. 24). The position of the implantmay be verified using any known imaging techniques, including, forexample, X-ray and ultrasound.

The handle 3314 is then rotated to “pull” the rod away from theimplantation area. Since the proximal end of the implant is butted upagainst the implant carrier, and pulling on the rod causes the distalend of the implant to move toward the proximal end (or visa-versa). Thisresults in the ends of the implant drawing towards each other whichopens out the implant. More specifically, opposite plates 6 and 7 areopened out, advantageously forming, respectively, a first 8 and a second9 support surface in the vertebra 60, which surfaces may be continuousover their length which may be substantially equal to the length of theimplant 1 (FIG. 25). In the course of the expansion, control of thereduction of the fracture thanks to the millimetric control means, andafter having obtained the desired expansion, for example of a determinedvalue between a minimum thickness of the implant before any expansion ofthe latter and a maximum thickness of the implant after its maximumexpansion, then freeing of the implant carrier 71 by unscrewing it fromthe implant 1, then extraction of the tube 67, as represented in FIG.26, with the implant in opened-out position remaining in place in thevertebra 60.

Accordingly, the expansion of the implant in the vertebra is achieved bysupport under the plates allowing the thrust force to be distributedover the length of the plates under the latter. Thus a sufficient lengthof the plates may be provided while limiting an excessive dimensioningof the thickness of the latter in order to resist flexion. It will beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the implantaccording to some embodiments of the invention adopt a ratio of aspatial requirement in length (un-expanded) to length of elevated platewhich is extremely optimized, allowing a preferable use of the limitedintra-osseous spaces with a view to fracture reduction, for example.

The rod 3316 may also include, according to one of the embodiments ofthe invention, a disengagement means, which may comprise an internal hexon the proximal end 3318 of the rod. This may allow one to disengage therod from the implant once the implant has been opened out.Alternatively, where the handle is not attached to the gripping blockand/or implant carrier, the handle could be counter-rotated (i.e.,rotated such that the rod does not move in a direction away from theimplant) such that it travels away from the flush portion of thegripping block and implant carrier, such that it engages the proximalend of the rod. Further counter-rotation of the handle (after openingout of the implant) causes the rod to rotate in the samecounter-rotation as the handle, thereby causing the rod to disengagefrom the implant. Depending upon the determined thread pitch, suchdisengagement can occur in any number of rotations (e.g., less or morethan one rotation). See also FIG. 26

Preferably, after the rod has been removed, a filling material 74 isinjected around the implant. The filling material may comprise, forexample, an ionic cement, in particular, a phosphocalcic cement, anacrylic cement or a compound of the latter, with a view to filling inand around the implant. To accomplish this, a needle of the injector 73is slid down tube 67 until the end of the needle reaches the distalorifice 39 of the implant 1 (FIG. 27). The filling material is theninjected via the needle. Continued injection in a retrograde manner maybe done up to a proximal orifice in cortical bone 64 of the vertebra 60(FIG. 28). The needle of the injector may then be withdraw from tube 67(FIG. 29).

A second example of a method according to an embodiment of the inventionfor restoration of human bone anatomy, will now be described withreferences to FIGS. 30-32. This example generally concerns a method forbone restoration of a vertebra by a transpedicular route, with fracturereduction.

The second example is similar to the first and differs from the latterby the penetration route of the implant into the vertebra 60, which isnow accomplished in a transpedicular manner (FIG. 30) instead of theposterolateral route used in the first method. As a result, only somesteps of the second method have been represented in FIGS. 30-32 in orderto show the different route used for the introduction of the implant 1into the vertebra. For FIGS. 30 to 32, elements identical to those ofthe first method example have the same numerical references, and thosefigures correspond respectively to the steps of FIGS. 24, 25 and 28 ofthe first method example. Concerning the step represented in FIG. 32,the latter differs slightly from FIG. 28 by the position of the needleof the injector 73, closer to the distal end of the implant in FIG. 32.

It will thus be seen that the invention attains the objects madeapparent from the preceding description. Since certain changes may bemade without departing from the scope of the present invention, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in aliteral sense (and thus, not limiting). Practitioners of the art willrealize that the method, device and system configurations depicted anddescribed herein are examples of multiple possible system configurationsthat fall within the scope of the current invention.

1. An expansible implant for bone restoration comprising: a single planeof expansion intrinsic to the implant, wherein the single plane ofexpansion corresponds to a bone restoration plane; first and secondopposed plates respectively forming first and a second bearing surfacesfor the bone, wherein the first and second plates move away from oneanother according to the single plane of expansion at the time of theexpansion of the implant; first and second implant ends substantiallyaligned along a longitudinal axis of the implant, wherein the firstimplant end includes an opening for allowing engagement of the implantwith an implant carrier; at least one pair of first and second supports,wherein each support of a pair of supports includes a first endconnected to the first or second plate and a second end connected to thefirst or second implant ends; and a first material web provided betweeneach respective support and the corresponding plate the support isconnected to, and a second material web provided between each respectivesupport and the corresponding implant end the support is connected to,wherein each material web plastically deforms during expansion of theimplant to control expansion of the implant, and wherein each materialweb comprises a reduced thickness portion of a respective support.
 2. Amethod for restoration of human or animal bone anatomy, comprising:introducing, into a bone, an expansible implant having: a single planeof expansion; at least one plate forming a bearing surface for bone,wherein upon expansion of the implant, the plate is directed away from alongitudinal axis of the implant according to the single plane ofexpansion at the time of the expansion of the implant; first and secondimplant ends substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis of theimplant, wherein the first implant end includes an opening for allowingengagement of the implant with an implant carrier; at least one supportconnected to at least one plate and at least one implant end; and a zoneof material provided between the at least one support and at least oneof the at least one plate and the at least one implant end, wherein thezone of material plastically deforms during expansion of the implant forcontrolling the expansion of the implant, and wherein the zone ofmaterial comprises a reduced thickness portion of a respective support;positioning the expansible implant in the bone in order to correspondthe single plane of expansion with a bone restoration plane, andexpanding the implant in the bone restoration plane.